ROCHESTER, Minn. – The Carleton College women's tennis team claimed at least a share of its ninth MIAC regular-season title after registering a 6-3 victory over No. 37-ranked Gustavus Adolphus College. Even though this match was moved indoors and off campus due to the weather, the Knights were unfazed and improved to 17-0 overall and 9-0 in conference play.
 
In addition to at least a share of the MIAC crown, Saturday's victory also clinched the top seed in next week's conference tournament. The Knights will have a chance to win the regular-season title outright when they play College of Saint Benedict on Sunday, April 23.
 
Carleton has now won six MIAC regular-season crowns over the last 12 years, having previously sat atop the standings in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2019. The Knights also won back-to-back-to-back titles in 1985-87.
 
"This was a well-played match between two high-quality teams," said Carleton head coach Luciano Battaglini. "Gustavus did a great job. We got up early, and they battled back and pushed us to the brink. It is exciting how even these teams are. I'm proud of our team and how they kept fighting; they were rewarded for their effort by coming out on top."
 
Saturday's victory began with a sweep of doubles.
 
Mariam Nechiporuk (So./Portland, Ore./Lake Oswego) and Ingrid Smith (So./Edina, Minn./Edina) improved to 11-0 this season as a tandem after dominating their opponents at No. 2 doubles by an 8-1 margin. Amelia Asfaw (So./Seattle, Wash./Seattle Prep) and Mary Hose (Jr./Columbia, Mo./Rock Bridge) followed with an 8-6 victory atop the lineup, the pairing's 9th win in 10 tries. Soon after, Amanda Black (So./Libertyville, Ill./Libertyville) and Alise Pedersen (Sr./San Anselmo, Calif./The Branson School) claimed an 8-5 triumph at No. 3 doubles to give Carleton the 3-0 lead heading into singles play.
 
Gustavus (16-12, 8-1 MIAC) picked up its first team point with 6-1, 6-4 result at No. 4 singles, followed by a 7-5, 6-2 victory at the No. 6 slot. With the Carleton lead trimmed to 3-2, it was nail-biting time for fans of both squads as each of the final four matches required third-set super tiebreakers.
 
Gustavus leveled the contest at 3-3 after claiming a 4-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10-4) win at No. 3 singles.
 
Not to be deterred, Asfaw and Hose, the top two players in the Carleton lineup, each prevailed to clinch the match for the Knights. Asfaw defeated her regionally-ranked opponent at No. 1 singles by a 6-1, 4-6, 1-0 (10-4) score, and Hose followed moments later with a 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 (10-8) triumph at the second slot.
 
That left Smith still on the court at No. 5 singles. After claiming the first set 6-2, she had trailed 5-2 in the second set before clawing her way back to force a tiebreaker, which went to her opponent. That sent the two foes to the super tiebreaker. Smith trailed 6-3 in the race to be first to 10 points, but she won 7 of the last 9 points to pull out the victory 6-2, 6-7 (4-7), 1-0 (10-8).
 
Up Next for the Knights
Due to the weather forecast, Sunday's match against Saint Benedict is set for a 12:00 p.m. start time and has been moved indoors to Lifetime Fitness in Lakeville, Minn.